CHIANG RAI – Police in Northern Thailand Sop Prap district of Lampang, arrested three suspects linked to a drug trafficking operation and seized 320 kilograms of crystal meth after tracking suspicious vehicles moving through the area.
According the Manager Online, officers from Sop Prap Police Station had received a tip that a drug network planned to move narcotics from the upper northern region into inner parts of the country.
Because of that warning, police set up a strict checkpoint in the early hours of March 20, 2026, to intercept the convoy.
At around 3:00 a.m., officers spotted two target vehicles passing through the checkpoint. The first was a white Honda Civic with Chiang Mai plates, driven by 41-year-old Thanaphon from Kanchanaburi.
The second was a gray Honda City with Rayong plates, driven by 24-year-old Pongsakorn from Chiang Rai.
Both men reportedly acted suspiciously. In addition, the two cars had already been listed as vehicles under watch. Police then expanded the investigation and found communication between the suspects through the LINE app, which suggested they were part of a larger drug transport group.
Because of this, officers believed another vehicle carrying the narcotics was following behind. They increased surveillance and sent teams to monitor alternative routes used to avoid the checkpoint.
Later, police found a white Toyota with Bangkok plates parked at a resort in Ban Watthana, Village 6, Sop Prap subdistrict, Sop Prap district, Lampang. Officers then searched Room 1 under authority granted to narcotics enforcement officials.
Inside, they found 18-year-old Phutawan from Kanchanaburi, who identified himself as the driver of the vehicle.
During the search, officers discovered 10 sacks of crystal meth. Each sack contained 32 packages, with a total weight of about 320 kilograms. Police then arrested the suspect and seized the drugs, along with three vehicles and three mobile phones.
All three suspects were handed over to investigators for legal action. Meanwhile, police are continuing to expand the case and trace others connected to the trafficking network.
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